Christian health worker suspended for praying with Muslim colleague, launches appeal

Lorraine Caballero Thursday, March 03, 2016

A screengrab from an interview with Christian health worker Victoria Wasteney, who was suspended after praying with her Muslim colleague. | YOUTUBE / Christian Concern

A Christian health worker has launched a legal challenge to her suspension after she prayed with a Muslim colleague in 2014.

Victoria Wasteney, 39, worked for the NHS Foundation Trust in East London as an occupational therapist before she was suspended for allegedly forcing her faith on a Muslim colleague. The institution immediately suspended her from her job in October but she has now been allowed to appeal the decision, according to Christian Today.

In 2014, Wasteney prayed for healing for her Muslim colleague Enya Nawaz and invited her to church. The born-again Christian worker also gave her a book titled "I Dared to Call Him Father," which tells the story of a woman who converted from Islam to Christianity.

However, Nawaz resigned after that and complained about what happened, leading to the institution handing her a written warning for misconduct. Wasteney said she was shocked by the complaint. While she admitted to talking about her faith with her friend, she denied trying to convert her from Islam or force Christianity on her.

"She was very emotional and tearful and was talking to me about her fear of dying. I put my hand on her knew to comfort her – asking her if that was all right – and prayed with her, asking God to heal her," said Wasteney. "... It was a natural and open thing for me to do and she didn't object in any way."

Wasteney was accused of "harassing and bullying" her colleague. However, her legal representative Paul Diamond argues that the investigation into the alleged harassment violates her right to practice her religion and speak about her religious beliefs in her workplace, the Evening Standard relays.

Wasteney has been granted permission to appeal the nine-month suspension without pay. She is due to appear at the Employment Appeal Tribunal to defend her side, the report adds.

The Christian Legal Centre supports Victoria Wasteney's appeal and has expressed concern over how the Christian health worker was treated in light of the harassment complaint filed against her.